Growing Communities Together is an innovative approach by The Benevolent Society to strengthening communities. It includes research about the importance of social connections, and effective ways of building social capital in communities.
Growing Communities Together is a new approach for The Benevolent Society in working with communities. The project is based on research that shows that people are healthier and happier when they have close connections with at least a few other people, can easily access services and networks in the broader community and actively participate in community life. Learn more about our 'on the ground' activities in Bankstown where the Growing Communities Togther project is underway at www.strongcommunities.org.au or follow us on Facebook.
As part of the project The Society is also undertaking research about social capital. Social capital is a vital component of resilient communities. It is the glue that holds communities together, allowing people to interact in a cooperative and organised way to achieve shared goals, and provide support and guidance to one another. Social capital is an important factor in strong and healthy communities, and can have a significant impact on the social and economic welfare of individuals and communities.
UWS Partnership research project
In 2009, The Benevolent Society, in partnership with the University of Western Sydney (UWS) undertook a one-year research project to measure social capital in primary and high school students and study its relationship with a range of outcomes. The research was conducted in six schools in two communities in NSW (Bankstown and the Central Coast).
The study involved surveying over 1,700 students about the quality of their social relationships, and a range of social, health and academic outcomes, as well as interviewing students, parents and teachers about the needs and strengths of their communities.
- A multidimensional tool to measure social capital was developed and validated.
- School students with higher levels of social capital tended to show better mental and physical health, academic self-concept, sense of belonging in the school and community and lower levels of perceived discrimination.
- Participants reported feeling secure in their communities, and having strong relations between students and schools; yet also had concerns about bullying and anti-social behaviour, and drug and alcohol consumption amongst younger people.
Read the Research Snapshot.
Continuing research
The Benevolent Society and UWS are contuning their research about social capital in high schools in Bankstown and the Central Coast, through a three-year ARC-Linkage project. In addition to measuring social capital and a range of adolescent outcomes, the project will include a range of interventions aimed at fostering social networks and partnerships in the schools and wider community. The impact of these on social capital and other psychological, educational and health outcomes will be measured. We will also be holding community forums each year, aimed at engaging school groups with community members, leaders and stakeholders.
Contact
Dr Stacey Gibson
T +61 2 9339 8067
E staceyg@bensoc.org.au